Intentional Ignorance: An Unhealthy Option

Intentional Ignorance: An Unhealthy Option

Ignorance is defined as a lack of knowledge; especially of divine things; or, of moral blindness. The Webster dictionary says it is: Want, absence or destitution of knowledge; the negative state of the mind which has not been instructed in arts, literature or science, or has not been informed of facts. (Ignorance may be general, or it may be limited to particular subjects. Ignorance of the law does not excuse a man for violating it.)

God never intended that anyone should be without knowledge concerning the Godhead. God didn’t make the gospel difficult to understand, nor the gift of salvation hard to obtain. Sin and its origins was made known, and intentional ignorance of scriptural knowledge will provide no excuses.

I like that Paul opens 1 Corinthians 10with these words… “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant,…” In other words, he didn’t want you (1)not to know,(2) not to understand, or(3) err or sin through mistake.

God has intentionally given us plenty of history (His-Story) that provides panoramic views of healthy and unhealthy spiritual options. Though he at one time gave passes, this option has been eliminated as a “get out of hell free” card. Aptly written are the words found in Romans 7:24 wherein is said, Old wretched man that I am…indeed!

In 1 Corinthians 10, we are given the wilderness journey for our learning:

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should notlust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. 8Neither let uscommit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. 10Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

To anyone tired of vicious cycles, there are exit signs for every situation designed to help us avoid snake pits and quicksand. We can be better, live better, act better and witness better. But nothing changes without intentionally gaining AND applying knowledge.

There is something to be learned through studying this timeless book of scriptures which contains the mind, heart and Words of God. Anything to the contrary is an unhealthy option.

11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.